Copa del Rey Mapfre - Intense second day + Video

Today the field of play in Bay of Palma has seen an intense second round on 32nd Copa del Rey Mapfre.Wind today decided to cooperate with show, so all fleets managed to sail all races schedule and to return to Real Club Nautico de Palma with four complete scores. Tomorrow, entries in different Hublot IRC classes will sail a coastal race

The second day of competition gathered the most international fleet in the history of the Copa del Rey Mapfre for an intense share of racing in the three race courses in the Bay of Palma. This time, the wind at the start of the first race went from seven to 13 knots, depending on the race course. The race committee was able to accomplish its program: three races in all classes except in Mahou J80 and La Caixa X-35, who sailed two races. Now all classes have four races sailed.

Sir Peter Ogden’s British 'Jethou' is still leading the provisional results in the class IRC Hublot zero despite finishing fourth in the last race of the day. Today, the best of the class was Alessandro Rombelli’s Italian 'Stig', with two victories (one-three-one).

In Hublot IRC one, Michele Galli’s 'B2' signed an almost perfect score (two-one-one) which allows him to escape to the front of the overall results with a nine point cushion over German 'Speedy', winner of the first race of the day. Third is Swiss 'Team Vision Future', one point behind 'Speedy'.

Today Niklas Zennström’s 'Rán' and Ed Baird’s 'Quantum Racing' fought a magnificent duel in the Gaastra IRC 52 class. The Swedish boat won today’s first two races, but a mistake at the start of the third race prevented him from finishing a perfect day. Zennström managed to climb back to literally cross the finish line at the same time as American 'Interlodge', so they each received 5.5 points. Ed Baird scored the victory in the last race and is the new class leader, but only half a point ahead of 'Rán'.

Terry Hutchinson (USA), tactician onboard Quantum Racing (USA): 'We did quite a good work today, Ed (Baird), Warwick (Fleury), Jonesy (Brett Jones) and Lorenzo (Mazza) had the boat going really nicely through the water. The middle race was a bit of a disappointment because we had a 50 meter lead at the last top mark but lost it to Rán Racing – who have just been on fire – on the last run. But we sailed a nice bounce back race then, the guys nailed the start and we stuck to our guns. Everyone kept taking a step out to the right to the pressure line, but we were happy with the middle and the upper left and low and behold it worked. We had a nice lead at the top.

It is hard to stay focused on a long hot day like that, that is the most challenging part of the day. Some of us are straight off a Farr 40 regatta in the USA and we might be feeling a little bit of jet lag at this stage but in the same breath there is so much to play for, then it is not that hard to stay focused. The nice thing about sailing with really good people is they keep cracking the whip on you.'

Today the best among the 36 teams in G.H. Mumm ORC one was Rafael Carbonell’s 'Rats on Fire'. The Swan 45 scored two bullets and a third allowing him to lead the provisional overall with a difference of six points over his nearest rival, 'Grupo Clínico Dr. Luis Senís' skippered by Axel Rodger, who won the last race of the day.

In G.H. Mumm ORC two, Pedro Campos’ 'Movistar' has completed an excellent second day, scoring two-one-one and leading its class, three points ahead of arch-rival, Iñaki Castañer’s 'X-Spain' (three-three-two). Joan Cabrer’s 'Airlan-Aermec' completes the provisional podium, which won the first race of the day and finished the other two races with a fifth and a fourth.

Chilean 'Mitsubishi Motors', skippered by Juan Reid, confirmed his excellent form scoring a first, second and third place which allowed him to return to the RCNP as new leader of the Nespresso Soto 40 class. Only 'Antares' overshadowed him today, winning the last two races, but the fifth place in the first race made him drop to second overall. Pichu Torcida’s 'Vamos Spain' is now third (three-five-three), tied up at 12 points with 'Antares'.

In the La Caixa X-35 class, the Italian-Spanish fight promises a thrilling duel until the end of the 32nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE, which is also the X-35 European Championship. Roberto Mazzucato’s Italian 'Margeritha' defended today its leadership achieved yesterday (scored three-six), but is now tied up on points with Palma`s 'Red Eléctrica de España' skippered by Ignacio Camino (one-three), who made an excellent work in the water. Alessandro Sollerio’s 'Lelagain', winner of the second race of the day, stands only two points behind both of them. There are three boats within only two points.

Hugo Rocha’s ruthless 'Turismo do Algarve' seems to have the Mahou J80 fleet measured up. The 2013 world champion finished with a perfect score winning four out of four races, even after an OCS in the first race of the day and having to climb from the back of the pack. Carlos Martinez’s 'Deltastone' (two-two) and José María Van der Ploeg’s 'Factor Energía' (four-three) are second and third in the provisional overall with a thrilling tie at 11 points.

The 32nd Copa del Rey Mapfre will continue tomorrow at 13h00. All classes are scheduled to sail two windward/leeward races except Hublot IRC zero, Hublot IRC one and Hublot IRC 52, which will sail a coastal race around the bay of Palma.

DJ Fonsi Nieto, who entertained with his music last night’s opening of the public Village, visited this morning the My Nespresso Brunch at the RCNP, where he was able to contemplate the atmosphere of the 32nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE. In the afternoon, the yacht club hosted the G.H. Mumm awards to the provisional leaders of the eight classes after two days of racing. Tonight, the entertainment in the Village comes from the hand of DJ Nacho 'Gran Reserva' and the band 'P-Brothers'.

52 Super Series

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